The first week of January was a whirlwind of emotions for Liberty football fans.
One day after the Flames’ 45-6 loss to Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl, star quarterback and Conference USA Player of the Year Kaidon Salter entered the transfer portal. But just three days later, Salter withdrew his name and confirmed he would be returning to Lynchburg.
Great news for Liberty. Bad news for the rest of CUSA.
Salter guided Liberty to the CUSA title in the program’s first season as a member of the conference. His 283 total yards per game ranked third in CUSA as he averaged 205 passing and 78 rushing yards per game.
He was responsible for a league-high 44 total touchdowns. Now, there is some talk about Salter being one of top QB prospects in the 2025 Draft despite his extremely small frame, but that’s something we will have to wait and see play out.
The only player in the conference that finished with more rushing yards in 2023 was Salter’s teammate, Quinton Cooley. The senior RB averaged 100 YPG on the ground and his 16 rushing TDs ranked sixth in the FBS. Crazy enough, Cooley didn’t score until the Flames’ fifth game of the season. He went on to have five multi-TD games, including three games with three scores. One of those outings came in the CUSA title game.
There weren’t many better QB-RB duos than Salter and Cooley last year, and they should only get better.
Liberty will also return its third leading rusher in Billy Lucas. The senior was an excellent complement to Cooley, finishing with 597 yards and six scores.
Paving the way for the top rushers in the league was probably the best offensive line in CUSA. Two of those starters from the Fiesta Bowl will be back in 2024. Xavior Gray is massive at right tackle with a 6-foot-8, 335-pound frame. Jordan White started at center for the Flames last season but could move over to play guard if necessary. White was voted second-team all-Conference USA last year.
The Flames picked up John Paul Flores out of the portal from Louisville, who should earn a starting spot at guard. Returners Aaron Fenimore and Jack Tucker could fill in at the other two OL spots.
Where Liberty isn’t returning much of its production is on the outside. Four of last year’s five leading receivers have moved on, with the only one returning being Treon Sibley. Sibley was second on the team with 23 receptions and 467 yards to go with four TDs.
Senior tight end Bentley Hanshaw will be back, however. The senior was second on the team with six TD receptions in 2023. Austin Henderson also returns at TE after hauling in three TDs last season.
It’s likely the other starting receivers haven’t seen the field much in their careers, although the Flames did pull in two receivers from the portal in Tyson Mobley (Coastal Carolina) and Julian Gray (NC State). Both will provide some depth, and Gray will be a key special teams player.
The Flames will likely boast the best offense in the conference again next season, and it won’t be a surprise if Salter and Cooley do even more damage to opposing defenses than they did in 2023.
